Is the Buccaneers’ season taking a toll on Tom Brady? Gray stubble in clear view during new Buccaneers post
Being below .500 at this time of year is hard on every NFL player involved, possibly including Tom Brady. In a recent Instagram post made by the team, the 6-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was seen having a conversation. During the conversation, as the camera zoomed in on his face, there was gray stubble on his cheeks.
The rest of his hair was the same color as that of a 20-year-old, but the gray hairs creeping in reminded fans of the grime reality of the passage of time. Although he's still playing better than multiple NFL quarterbacks less than half his age, the quarterback is in his mid-40s.
While the season has been historically rough for Tom Brady, most would agree that the year as a whole hasn't been easy for him. It's unclear as to whether the Buccaneers are actively aging him, but it's been a tough calendar year for the quarterback.
Buccaneers QB Tom Brady nears end of difficult year
In January, he kicked off the year by losing in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams. Shortly thereafter, Brady announced his retirement from the league.
However, the retirement was shortlived as Tom Brady found himself right back in the fold six weeks later. Many rumors pointed to his intention to get involved with the Miami Dolphins as a minority owner, but it ultimately came to nothing.
Soon after rejoining the Buccaneers, the quarterback lined up his biggest win of the year and signed a deal with FOX. The $375 million deal will see him call games for the network for ten years, immediately following his retirement.
The #Bucs had a 45-year old WR in the game.
@TomBrady https://t.co/AVotjvIe9z
Then, in August, the quarterback was forced to step away from training camp for 11 days for what many assumed to be him trying to save his marriage. However, just weeks into the season, the quarterback and his wife announced their divorce.
Since then, despite a couple of small victories, Brady's struggled to impress and Tampa Bay currently sits at 6-8, barely atop the NFC South.
The good news is that they have their destiny in their own hands. If they can win two out of their remaining three games, Tampa Bay will likely win the NFC South and host a Wild Card matchup. As it stands, they are set to welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Florida.
Getting to the postseason is hugely important for Tom Brady now and once there, anything could happen. It's possible that Brady could end the year on a high note and who knows, maybe even start 2023 with a Super Bowl win.